Introduction to Environmental Science
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This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the basic principles and unifying concepts of environmental science. Various ecosystems are described, and conservation efforts are evaluated. Other topics include the importance of maintaining biodiversity, human population growth and demography, and the problems of urbanization in developed and developing countries. Techniques of sustainable agriculture are evaluated, as are techniques for water conservation. The impact of air pollution on the climate and on human beings is analyzed and the factors that determine energy consumption and the use of fossil fuels are assessed. Local, national, and international policies, laws, and programs that aim to protect the environment are also discussed.
Buy the course for only $59 and get a copy of "Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships" at no additional cost
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I enjoyed reading the textbook for this class. It was extremely informative. Overall of this class was excellent.
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I really hated this course. The lectures are contrived and annoying. They didn't help at all. The textbook was really dense and the quizzes/exams were open book. You would think that open book would be reasonably harder, but the questions that the quizzes/exams were purposefully trying to trick the student or were purposefully picking obscure information to test on. Very frustrating to prepare for.
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I really hated this course. The lectures are contrived and annoying. They didn't help at all. The textbook was really dense and the quizzes/exams were open book. You would think that open book would be reasonably harder, but the questions that the quizzes/exams were purposefully trying to trick the student or were purposefully picking obscure information to test on. Very frustrating to prepare for.
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I already had a strong background in environmental science, but the course was interesting.
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I already had a strong background in environmental science, but the course was interesting.
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I enjoyed reading the textbook for this class. It was extremely informative. Overall of this class was excellent.
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It is pretty easy. If you take it you can find most of the answers in the glossary. Pay attention to the stories and articles! Don't take the first answer you see, read the entire article!
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Course Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Assess the various methods used to understand natural phenomena and the human impact on it, and analyze the steps taken to protect the environment.
- Explain chemical cycles with reference to exchange of energy in chemical reactions and natural selection and evolution, and assess the effect of changes in the cycles on organisms.
- Differentiate between various ecosystems, explain the interdependency of organisms within an ecosystem, and how changes in the environment can affect ecosystems.
- Evaluate the impact of civilization on forests and grasslands, and assess how conservation efforts are useful in preserving species and restoration of habitats.
- Analyze the use of and factors determining population characteristics of a species, explain the reasons for maintaining biodiversity, and evaluate the reasons for extinction of species.
- Analyze human population growth and demography, and assess its impact on the environment.
- Analyze the problems of urbanization in developed and developing countries, and evaluate its implication on the environment.
- Evaluate techniques of sustainable agriculture and the need for pest control, and explain how pesticides degrade the soil and therefore the environment.
- Describe the hydrologic cycle, classify sources of water pollution, and analyze techniques for water conservation and management.
- Analyze the impact of air pollution on the climate and on human beings, and evaluate measures to reduce pollution.
- Assess the factors that determine energy consumption and use of fossil fuels, and evaluate its effect on global warming.
- Explain various alternative sources of energy, compare them in terms of environmental issues, and appraise energy conservation methods.
- Explain the concept of waste management and evaluate programs and policies to reduce the harmful effects of waste.
- Analyze the various factors influencing the use of environmental resources, and evaluate important local, national, and international policies, laws, and programs that aim to protect the environment.
Topic |
Title |
Subtopics |
Objectives |
1 |
Introduction to Environmental Science |
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2 |
Matter, Energy, and Life |
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3 |
Ecosystems |
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4 |
Species Populations and Biodiversity |
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5 |
Human Population |
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6 |
Energy Consumption and Conventional Sources |
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7 |
Alternative Sources and Energy Management |
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8 |
Forests and Conservation |
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9 |
Urbanization |
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10 |
Food, Agriculture, and Pest Control |
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11 |
Water: Availability and Pollution |
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12 |
Climate, Weather, and Air Pollution |
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13 |
Waste Management (Health) |
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14 |
Economics, Environment, and Policy |
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15 |
Review |
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Complete a review of key content covered in this course. |
There are no prerequisites for this course.
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost. More information on StraighterLine eTextbooks
Prefer the hard copy? Simply purchase from your favorite textbook retailer; you will still get the eTextbook for free.

This full-color, introductory environmental science text is known for being concise, conceptual, and value-priced. The approach and reading level cover the basic concepts without overloading students with too much detail. The authors reinforce the text's central theme of "interrelationships" by providing a historical perspective, information on economic and political realities, discuss the role of different social experiences, and integrate this with the crucial science to describe the natural world and how we affect it.
Enger, Eldon D. and Bradley F. Smith. Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships, 12th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2009, ISBN: 978-0073383200
StraighterLine provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
If you have chosen a Partner College to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit.
There are a total of 1000 points in the course.
Topic |
Assessment |
Points Available |
3 |
Graded Exam #1 |
125 |
6 |
Graded Exam #2 |
125 |
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Cumulative Graded Midterm Exam |
250 |
10 |
Graded Exam #3 |
125 |
14 |
Graded Exam #4 |
125 |
15 |
Cumulative Graded Final Exam |
250 |
Total |
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1000 |
Final Proctored Exam
The final exam is developed to assess the knowledge you learned taking this course. All students are required to take an online proctored final exam in order complete the course and be eligible for transfer credit.
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the basic principles and unifying concepts of environmental science. Various ecosystems are described, and conservation efforts are evaluated. Other topics include the importance of maintaining biodiversity, human population growth and demography, and the problems of urbanization in developed and developing countries. Techniques of sustainable agriculture are evaluated, as are techniques for water conservation. The impact of air pollution on the climate and on human beings is analyzed and the factors that determine energy consumption and the use of fossil fuels are assessed. Local, national, and international policies, laws, and programs that aim to protect the environment are also discussed.